Advent is a season of reflecting on Christ’s first advent as recorded in the Gospels, and of expectant waiting for Christ’s second advent. We are in the midst of the “already-not yet” period, having experienced the kingdom but awaiting its consummation. This is perfectly summarized in Wesley’s familiar Christmas tune.

We’re in the season of hope, but it doesn’t feel like it. This year, collectively, we’ve been through the wringer. Individually, each of us has had unique struggles brought about by the pandemic. In such times, we can find ourselves losing sight of what ought to be the enduring motivation for the Christian in hard times: The goodness of God.

You don’t need me to tell you that we are living in destabilized times. Chaos abounds in the streets and in government from the top to the bottom. One look through a Twitter timeline shows forth our society’s outrage. The secular worldview that permeates current culture brings to bear the logical end of that secularism: mass chaos and confusion.

The song is an invitation for the congregant to look at, or “come behold” the wonder of the various components of the gospel, which has made salvation available for fallen humanity.

Solus Christ is the Protestant doctrine stating that salvation is obtained through the person and work of Jesus Christ.